Much is being made on TV this morning about how Mitt Romney really just doesn’t relate to the average Joe. He makes awkward remarks about his wife’s Cadillacs, fakes a southern accent and makes references to grits. It just makes you wince. Comparisons are made to Bill Clinton and George Bush. Does it matter?
People seem to want a president who is just like them. To wit, look at the wild popularity of George Bush and Bill Clinton. Those who liked both of these men, really liked them and overlooked some glaring character flaws and glaring mistakes made while in office. Both Bush and Clinton could connect with others and make them feel like they were just like them.
Contrast the Bush/Clinton phenomena to others who have run for office. Gore, the wooden candidate. John Kerry? Would you really want to have to go drink a beer with him? He just wasn’t like us. Daddy Bush? His wife, yes. Him? Not so much. Nice guy. Bubba gets along with him but Bubba gets along with everyone. Mitt Romney seems to suffer the same fate. He isn’t like us. He knows he isn’t like us and he tries to fake it. It isn’t working.
For all we laughed at George Bush’s inability to publicly speak and called Clinton Bubba, these were endearing traits. These traits made us over-look a lot. Both Clinton and Bush know how to do people-speak and they know how to work a crowd.
Does it really matter? In the long run, no. What are our chances of having to relate to Bush or Clinton? They could both have the personality of a stump but its the impression they leave. And its what gets them elected. Getting elected is the hard part. The rest is easier. Presidents are removed from the masses. I am not sure Mitt is ever going to connect. He just isn’t one of the masses.
